The Scottish Government Economy Minister, Keith Brown, has today confirmed that the new Forth Road Bridge will not open in May following a question asked by Murdo Fraser MSP.

In the past two weeks there had been speculation that bad weather would result in the Bridge opening being delayed again.

Construction bosses had originally planned to open the new crossing in December before inclement conditions impacted plans. The contractual deadline of May has now been missed which leaves the government red-faced following their insistence that it would open on time.

Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:

“Travellers expecting the bridge to open in May will be sorely disappointed by today’s announcement.

“When the December opening date was put back to May, inclement weather was blamed, now we have the same excuse being rolled out for a second time.

“This latest delay surely calls into question the Government’s handling of the project and why the public weren’t told sooner considering speculation over a delayed opening has been rife for weeks.

“With reports suggesting it could be September before the bridge opens the Scottish Government must come clean and let the public now when it realistically predicts the bridge will open.”